Nachhaltigkeit im Lichte der Wiener Zeitung (1824–1914)

The focus of the following contribution is the discursive genesis of the concept of sustainability and its use in various social, political, and economic contexts. The study analyzes the semantic development of the term sustainability in the „Wiener Zeitung“ from 1824 to 1914. Starting from its first verifiable mention, the term is examined in political, economic, cultural, and social contexts. The results show a gradual expansion beyond its original forestry-related meaning. Depending on the field of discourse, sustainability was functionalized in different ways. The aim of the study is to trace the discursive embedding and semantic transformation of the concept throughout the 19th century. Particular attention is paid to how specific formulations and nuances of meaning emerged and changed within their respective historical contexts. The analysis clearly illustrates the diverse contexts in which the lexeme was used and thus contributes to the reconstruction of its conceptual development. This study sees itself as a contribution to historical discourse analysis and media history by highlighting the early usage and semantic shift of a concept that is central to today’s societal discourse.